Continuing in the theme of last week's post, some further news on our progress in developing the THz-based materials characterization system:
Dr. David Daughton just returned from New Orleans, where he presented a talk at the ACS April Meeting on April 12, 2013. His talk was to provide an update on our recent progress
with chemical applications using our terahertz platform. The study of chemical materials using terahertz has long been of interest to scientists, but recent work has shown enhancement of some spectral features at cryogenic temperatures.
We also mentioned that we had received the Air Force STTR Phase 1 Award. This award is for a project called "Terahertz Frequency Materials Testing at Cryogenic Temperatures and in High Magnetic Fields."
For those unaware of the STTR award, it is a Congress-established award that started in 1992. It awards funds to small businesses that partner with non-profits in order to bring research to the marketplace. The STTR award is broken into three phases, with the ultimate goal being to reach the marketplace. Phase 1, the Phase Lake Shore was awarded, is considered the "project feasibility" award, and it grants funds to "determine the scientific, technical and commercial merit and feasibility of the ideas submitted" (SBIR STTR, US Department of Defense).
Dr. David Daughton will work with materials scientists at Wright State University and the University of Arizona to develop and validate electronic material parameter extraction protocols for CW-THz spectroscopy in cryogenic and high magnetic field environments. Developed algorithms will be used to compare Hall, THz-TDS, and CW-THz measurements on known semiconductor and novel materials in order to provide a benchmark and methodology for CW-THz materials characterization.